JPH07168658A - Device and method for inputting character - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a character input device on which input operation is performed by one hand by storing plural switches which can detect a multistage depression state and a coordinate information input means in one housing. CONSTITUTION:The input device 100 has switches 1-5 for five stages, a switch 4 which has two ON and OFF states, and a track ball 5. The track ball 5 is the coordinate information input means which has its ball rotated to input a coordinate position, and an operator operates the track ball 5 to select a desired word or phrase among conversion candidates. The switch 1 is operated with the index finger of the right hand, the switch 2 with the middle finger of the right hand, the switch 3 with the ring finger of the right hand, and the switch 4 with the little finger of the right hand respectively; and the operator inputs characters by using the switches 1-4. Namely, the input device 100 is gripped in the right hand and used, and all operations are done only in the right hand. The operator specifies the vowels with the switch 1 and the consonants with the switches 2 and 3.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a character input device, and more particularly to a character input device for inputting with one hand.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Character input devices, so-called keyboards, which are operated by both hands are generally used. However, if it cannot be operated with both hands for some reason, the operation of these two-handed input devices becomes extremely difficult. For example, when using a portable computer on a train,
Since the computer must be held with one hand, the operability of the two-handed input device is extremely poor.

Instead of such a two-handed input device, a one-handed input device has also been proposed. For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Sho 62
No. -47724 discloses a one-handed word processor for inputting with a combination of vowel keys and consonant keys. In this conventional technique, the roman character input is performed by operating the vowel key, the consonant key, and the dakuten shift key, a total of 10 keys, with one hand.

[0004]

However, in this conventional technique, although kana characters can be input, when converting the input kana characters into kanji, the operation of selecting a desired character or idiom from conversion candidates is not possible. There is a problem that it is difficult. Further, although the keyboard can be operated with one hand, the keyboard itself must be held in addition to the computer body, so that the operability is not improved.

[0005]

In view of the above problems, in the character input device of the present invention, a plurality of switches capable of detecting multi-step pressed states and coordinate information input means are housed in one housing. Configured the input device.

[0006]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. 1, a character input device of the present invention includes an input device 100 held by one hand and a display unit 306.
And a main body 101 having.

Referring to FIG. 2, the input device 100 has five
The switch includes a switch 1 to a switch 3, a switch 4 having two states of ON and OFF, and a trackball 5. The trackball is one of coordinate information input means for inputting coordinate positions by rotating a sphere.
The trackball 5 is operated by the thumb of the right hand. The operator operates the trackball 5 to select a desired phrase from the conversion candidates. Switch 1 is the right index finger, switch 2 is the right middle finger, switch 3 is the right ring finger, switch 4
Is operated by the little finger of the right hand. The operator uses the switches 1 to 4 to input characters. That is,
The input device 100 is used while being grasped by the right hand, and all operations are executed only by the right hand.

Referring to FIG. 3, the five stages of switches constituting the switches 1 to 3 include a rod 201 and a rod 2.
The five concave portions 202 provided on the side surface of 01 and the concave portion 20
It has a leaf spring 203 fitted with 2, a spiral spring 204 for urging the rod 201 upward, and a sensor 205 for detecting the length of pressing of the rod 201.

The rod 201 is pressed by a finger. During depression, the recesses 202 and the leaf springs 203 fit into each other, so that the five recesses are fitted one after another. By this fitting, the operator can press the rod 201 in five steps. This pressed state is detected by the sensor 205. The sensor 205 outputs 0 when the rod 201 is in a natural state where it is not pressed, and outputs n when the rod 201 is fitted in the n-th recess 202. Since the five recesses 202 are provided, the sensor 205 outputs a value of 0-5.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the operator inputs characters by combining the pressed states of switches 1 to 3. In this embodiment, the switch 1 designates a vowel and the switches 2 and 3 designate a consonant. Here, the pressed states of the switches 1 to 3 are represented by the symbol PS. For example, the pressed state PS = “230”
At this time, the switch 1 is in the first-step depressed state, the switch 2 is in the third-stage depressed state, and the switch 3 is in the non-depressed state. According to the conversion table described later, the pressed state PS = “230” indicates “shi”. Referring to FIG. 5, the main body 101 includes an input control unit 301 connected to the input device 100, a control unit 302 that controls the entire device based on an input from the input control unit 301, and a control unit 3.
02, a storage unit 303 that stores a program, a dictionary file, a history file, and the like, an auxiliary storage device 304 that stores a dictionary file, a text file, and the like, and an output that controls the display unit 306 according to an instruction from the control unit 302. It has a control unit 305 and a display unit 306 that displays characters and the like according to an instruction from the output control unit 305.

Referring to FIG. 6, the character input device of this embodiment is realized by a combination of a plurality of means. These means are realized by a program stored in the storage unit 303 and executed by the control unit 302.

The control means 403 controls the operation of the entire system.

The character code generating means 401 is the input device 1
The pressed state PS of the switches 1 to 4 in 00 is input. The character code generating means 401 includes switches 1 to
Correspondence table 402 using the pressed state PS of the switch 4 as a key
Index. As a result of the index, the character code corresponding to the pressed state PS of the switches 1 to 4 is obtained. This character code is notified to the control means 403. Further, the character code generation means 401 inputs the position information designated by the trackball 5 of the input device 100. This position information is notified to the control means 403 and also to the cursor display means 409.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the correspondence table 40.
2 holds the correspondence between the pressed state PS and the kana character. When the switch 3 is in the non-pressed state, the table of FIG. 7 is pressed, and when the switch 2 is in the non-pressed state, the table of FIG. 8 is pressed.

In the correspondence table 402, a vowel is designated when the switch 1 is pressed. Specifically, when the pressed state of the switch 1 is 1, the "A" stage is 2, when the "I" stage is 3, the "U" stage is 4, the "E" stage is 5, “O” stage is designated respectively.

Further, in the correspondence table 402, consonants are designated by the pressed states of the switches 2 and 3. Specifically, when switch 2 is 1, "A" row is, and when it is 2, "A"
When the line is 3, the "sa" line is designated, when it is 4, the "ta" line is designated, and when it is 5, the "na" line is designated. When the switch 3 is 1, the “ha” line is 2, when the switch is 3, the “m” line is 3, when the switch is 4, the “ra” line is 5, and when the switch is 5, the “wa” line, Each is specified. However, in the pressed state PS corresponding to the “i” and “e” columns of the “ya” line, the “i” column, the “u” column and the “e” column of the “wa” line, other than these characters Correspond to the ones. For example, the correspondence table 402 in which the kana character “n” is associated with the “wa” row and “u” and the character code for designating one character deletion is associated with the “wa” row and “e”
The search for is started by pressing the switch 4 once. For example, when the pressed state PS is "110" and the switch 4 is turned on, the kana character "a" is searched. When the pressed state PS is set to "202" and the switch 4 is turned on, the kana character "mi" is searched. Further, when the pressed state PS is "000", that is, when the switch 4 is pressed while none of the switches 1 to 3 is pressed, the character code generation means 401
Notifies the control means 403 of the character code of the conversion start instruction.

The conversion candidate retrieval means 405 is a control means 40.
The dictionary file 406 is searched for a conversion candidate corresponding to the kana character string received from No. 3. Here, the conversion candidates mean a plurality of displays corresponding to the same. For example, "Aki"
The conversion candidate of is "Autumn, vacant, bored, bright, ...". The dictionary file 406 is stored in the storage unit 303 or the auxiliary storage device 304.

The document file 404 is a file in which the created document is stored, and is secured in the storage unit 303 or the auxiliary storage device 304.

The character display means 407 displays the character input from the control means 403 on the display unit 306.

The conversion candidate display means 408 is a control means 40.
A list of the conversion candidates notified from 3 is displayed on the display unit 306.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

Referring to FIG. 9, in step 1,
The control means 403 inputs the character code from the character code generation means 401.

In step 2, the control means 403
It is determined whether the character code input in step 1 is a conversion instruction character code. If it is not the character code of the conversion instruction, this character code is sent to the character display means 407,
The display unit 306 displays the kana character corresponding to this character code.

For example, referring to FIG. 10, the pressed state P
When the switch 4 is turned on with S = “110”, the character code generation means 401 searches the correspondence table 402 and notifies the control means 403 of the kana character “a”. Kana character "a"
Is not the character code of the conversion instruction, the control means 403
Activates the character display means 407 to display the kana character “A” on the display unit 306. Similarly, referring to FIG. 11, when the switch 4 is turned on in the pressed state PS = “220”, “ki” is displayed on the display unit 306.

After displaying the characters on the display section 306, the control means 403 executes step 1 again.

Referring again to FIG. 9, when the character code input in step 1 is the conversion instruction character code, the control means 403 executes step 4. For example,
After the kana character string "Aki" is entered in the above step,
It is assumed that the switch 4 is turned on in the pressed state PS = “000”. Since the switch 4 is turned on in the pressed state PS = “000”, the character code generation means 401 notifies the control means 403 of the character code of the conversion instruction. Upon receiving this notification, the control means 403 executes step 4.

In step 4, the control means 403 activates the conversion candidate search means 405 and inputs the conversion candidates of the inputted kana character string. In this case, "autumn, vacant, tired, bright ..." Is input as the conversion candidate of the kana character string "Aki".

In step 5, the control means 403
The conversion candidate display means 408 is activated to output the conversion candidate input in step 4 to the conversion candidate display means 408. The conversion candidate display means 408 displays this conversion candidate on the display unit 306. Referring to FIG. 11, in this case, a list of conversion candidates 501 such as “autumn, vacant, tired, bright ...” is displayed.

In step 6, the control means 403
The cursor display means 409 is activated to display the cursor 502 on the display unit 306. Referring to FIG. 12, the operator can move the cursor 502 to a desired conversion candidate by operating the trackball 5.
Referring to FIG. 12, when selecting the word “autumn” from the conversion candidates 501, the operator moves the cursor 502 onto the display “autumn”.

In step 7, it is determined whether or not the key operation for instructing the conversion confirmation is performed. This decision is
It is determined whether or not the switch 4 is turned on when the conversion candidate 501 is displayed. When it is determined in step 7 that the switch 4 has not been pressed, step 6 is executed again. On the other hand, when it is determined that the switch 4 has been pressed, step 8 is executed.

In step 8, the control means 403
The character display means 407 is activated to display the confirmed phrase on the display unit 306. In this case, the selected and confirmed lexical word "autumn" is displayed. Further, the control means 403 outputs the selected token to the document file 404 and holds it.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described.

First, in the above embodiment, the input device 10 is used.
Although 0 is operated by the right hand, it may be operated by the left hand by contrasting the configurations.

Second, in the above embodiment, the switches 1 to
The switch 3 has the structure shown in FIG. 2, but the scope of application of the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the gist of the present invention is to perform character input using a switch that detects a multi-step pressed state. It may be applied to the switches 1 to 3.

Thirdly, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the trackball 5 is adopted as the coordinate information input means, but the scope of application of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a joystick may be used. Fourthly, in the present embodiment, the function for inputting a character is explained separately, but the character input device of the present embodiment can be incorporated into other software and used.

As described above, in this embodiment, all input operations can be performed by the input device 100 held by the right hand. Moreover, since the trackball 5 selects a desired token from the conversion candidates, the operability is good.

[0037]

As described above, according to the present invention, characters are input using the switch and the trackball capable of detecting the multi-step pressed state. Therefore, it is possible to achieve the effect that all the operations can be performed by the input device 100 held by the right hand. further,
It is also possible to achieve the effect that the operation of selecting and selecting a desired token from the conversion candidates can be easily performed with the trackball.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a diagram showing a detailed structure of the input device 100. FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a detailed structure of switches 1 to 3;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a method of operating the input device 100.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a structure of a main body 101.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the contents of a correspondence table 402.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the contents of a correspondence table 402.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an operation of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an operation of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an operation of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an operation of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the operation of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 switch 2 switch 3 switch 4 switch 5 trackball 100 input device 101 main body 201 rod 202 recessed portion 203 leaf spring 204 spiral spring 205 sensor 301 input control unit 302 control unit 303 storage unit 304 auxiliary storage device 305 output control unit 306 display unit 401 character code generation means 402 correspondence table 403 control means 404 document file 405 conversion candidate search means 406 dictionary file 407 character display means 408 conversion candidate display means 409 cursor display means 501 conversion candidate 502 cursor PS pressed state PS

Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification number Office reference number FI technical display location H03M 11/08 G06F 17/22

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A character input device including an input device in which a plurality of switches capable of detecting multi-step pressed states and coordinate information input means are housed in a single housing. 2. The character input device according to claim 1, further comprising character code generating means for generating a corresponding character code from a combination of the pressed states of the plurality of switches. 3. The character input device according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of switches include a first switch for designating a vowel and a second switch for designating a consonant. 4. A display unit, a dictionary file, a conversion candidate search means for inputting a kana character string and searching the dictionary file for conversion candidates for the kana character string, and a conversion candidate searched by the conversion candidate search means. The character input device according to claim 2, further comprising: conversion candidate display means for displaying on the display section; and cursor display means for displaying a cursor on the display section based on information output by the coordinate information input means. 5. A first step of inputting a kana character string by a combination of the switches, and a second step of activating a conversion candidate search means to search for a conversion candidate of the kana character string input in the first step. A third step of activating the conversion candidate display means to display the conversion candidates retrieved in the second step on the display unit; and a fourth step of activating the cursor display means to display the cursor. A character input method comprising: a step; and a fifth step of selecting a token pointed by the cursor in the conversion candidates.